My little slice of heaven

“I could say the same about the Tarkatans currently overrunning your gates,” you shot back, trying to sound steadier than you felt.

Reiko closed the distance in three strides, eyes scanning you for wounds, hands hovering near but not touching. “You’re injured.”

“I’m fine.” You exhaled sharply, wobbling a bit. “It’s just—”

He caught you before you could finish, arms wrapping around you like iron. “You are not fine.”

“I came to help. You were outnumbered—”

“And you nearly died!” he snapped, voice cracking under the strain. “You have to trust me. When I keep you away from the battlefield, it’s not to belittle you—it’s to protect you.”

You stared at him, stunned by the sheer desperation in his voice. This wasn’t the brutal general you’d seen command armies without blinking. This was a man on the verge of breaking.

“I didn’t know,” you said softly. “I didn’t realize what I’d walked into.”

“No.” He looked down, jaw tight. “You didn’t.”

There was silence for a beat—long enough for the ache between you to settle in. And then he exhaled, slowly, trying to find words he wasn’t trained to use.

“Do you want me to stay,” he asked carefully, “or would you rather have some space? Either way, I’m here for you.”

You blinked, caught off guard by the gentleness in his tone.

“I… I want you to stay,” you admitted. “Even if you are being a dramatic idiot.”

Reiko arched a brow. “I hope you’re joking.”

“Oh, I’m definitely not,” you muttered, leaning into him.

He sighed and pulled you closer, one hand pressing to the back of your head. “Next time you want to help,” he murmured near your temple, “just ask. I’ll burn the world for you.”

You snorted softly. “That’s… sweet? Terrifying, but sweet.”

It was too early—far too early—to be called into the royal chambers. Princess Mileena had been feeling ill; so off that she would burst into tears and sweat, cursing anyone in her vicinity with such heated anger that nobody wanted to remain near her.

Nobody except… you. You, the realm’s true talent in herbal medicines.

“My lady,” you began, already dunking a soft silk cloth into a bowl of lavender and chamomile. “You should try to get some rest. The festival is soon, and I worry for you.”

“Oh, do you?” she seethed. Anger protruded through the cold look she threw over her shoulder, making you wince and bite the skin of your lip. Wringing out the cloth, you placed it against the back of her shoulders. The smell instantly wafted upward, entrancing the royal woman with a sense of calmness—of comfort.

“I’ll be back every thirty minutes to reapply, Princess,” you whispered, gliding across the floor and smoothing your hands over your wrinkled clothes. “Please. Rest.”

The door clicked shut, and the hallway greeted you with silence and shadow.

The Umgadi guards glanced over your lethargic form, giving a small, uncaring nod before turning back ahead.

So began the trek back home. You crossed the ever-elongated halls, passed the throne room with a lingering glance, and had just reached the gardens of old when you bumped into somebody.

Someone so tall their shoulder pad nearly poked your eye out.

You recognized the color pattern instantly.

“Reiko!” Your exclamation was loud—so loud the man grimaced before folding his arms. A scoff almost left his lips before he bit it back.

The man grimaced, jaw tightening before he folded his arms across his chest.

Of all people… why did it have to be you? You were always looking at him with those soft, star-struck eyes—eyes that made something uncomfortable twist low in his stomach.

“You.” The soldier sighed.

“Isn’t it too early for your escapades?” he questioned, eyeing your slumped shoulders and half-lidded eyes.

“It’s too early for anything, really. What are you doing up?” You raised a brow at his scrunched-up expression. He clearly didn’t appreciate the question.

“I’m always up before sunrise. Training begins early, and I meet with the General before anyone else.” His statement was so blunt and matter-of-fact that you couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped you. Just a giggle—but a humorous sound aimed at him nonetheless.

Oh great. That sound. The stupid one that made him feel warm.

“And what’s so funny?” he gritted out, not sharing your amusement. You coughed, trying to hide the tired laugh with a stretch and a wiggle of your fingers.

“Nothing! Nothing, you’re just—ah—”

“I’m just what?” he growled. His arms were tense, veins protruding and bulging with even the slightest movement. “Intense? Aloof? Uncaring—”

“Cute.” Your interruption halted him. Completely. And wholeheartedly.

He forgot how to breathe for a full second.

“W-what?”

God. If the General could see him now—stuttering, self-conscious, stunned. All because of a woman who played with plants for a living.

Her. Calling him cute.

A soldier. A commander.

Cute.

“You’re cute,” you gushed. “Like, really really cute. Man, I’ll probably regret this when I can actually feel my body again. M’tired.”

Ridiculous. Infuriating. And yet—

Why did it make heat creep up the back of his neck?

There was that blank stare again—Reiko’s slumped, dumbfounded look. It would’ve been so funny if you had the energy to pay attention.

Stop looking at me like that, he wanted to say. With those big, sleepy eyes. Like I’m something soft.

But you couldn’t. Not when he was staring directly at you. And—were his eyes always so silver?

“They’re white,” he corrected bluntly, eyeing you as if you had grown three extra limbs on the spot.

Oh. Oops.

Your eyes lifted to his face again. They always did that. Always searching… always shining.

Were they always that bright? No. No, it was just the lack of sleep. Or the herbs. Or the… the way the early light made your skin glow like—

Stop it. Stop thinking about something so useless , he told himself

“Not that I care,” the soldier began, taking a step forward—much to his own dismay—when he saw you sway. “But you should rest. The Princess will be calling for you again, I’m sure.”

Just admit it, he thought. Say you look tired. Say you need help. Say you need… me.

But he didn’t say any of that aloud.

You hummed in agreement, rubbing sleep from your vision and trying to stop the room from tilting.

Reiko’s hand twitched. The urge to reach for you—steady you—came too naturally for his liking.

“I’ll see you… later?” You smiled up at him, giving a dainty wave before taking a few steps forward.

One.

Two.

That was as far as you got before your body gave out beneath you.

He moved faster than he ever had in training.

Your body collapsed into him, his hands catching your waist with a force that almost lifted you off the ground.

Warm. Why were you so warm?

“You sure are useless, aren’t you, woman?” he grumbled. Yet his grip softened, still supporting your weight. His chest pressed against your back, and instantly you smelled—dirt?

Dirt and sweat… with a hint of something sweeter. Cinnamon, maybe? No. A polish? Something leathery and neat.

Yeah. That was it, you decided.

“You smell really good.” The intrusive thought flew straight out of your mouth without hesitation or mercy.

Reiko nearly dropped you.

“Stop saying weird shit.” He groaned, quickly letting go and putting distance between you—what he believed was a safe amount.

Reiko swallowed a curse.

He couldn’t remember the last time someone leaned on him without fear.

Or flinched.

Or called him… cute.

“Sorry, sorry! I’m just so tireeeed,” you whined, craning your neck to look at him. He had that weird look again. The one from when you called him cute. Like he’d eaten something both sour and sweet.

“I’m going home now. With no accidents… I hope.” You swayed toward the cobblestone archway, letting a hand drag along the rocky surface.

He watched you sway down the hall, his jaw clenching hard.

You looked… He hated the word. He really did.

But damn it—

You looked ethereal in the early light. Soft edges, drifting steps, hair mussed from exhaustion.

“Whatever.” And although he sounded angry—distant—his figure stayed. He stood there watching, waiting, until your form disappeared over the grove.